Medal of Merit citation for:

On October 20, 2010, at approximately 2:00 p.m.,
the operator of a vehicle traveling westbound on Interstate 90 drove
off the north shoulder of the roadway and struck a tree. Trooper
Joseph A. Zupo of the State Police Buffalo station responded to
investigate the accident. Upon his arrival at the scene, he found
Correction Officers Makeyenko, Matyas and Petricca attending to the
operator who was on the ground outside of the vehicle. An
investigation revealed that the operator had been rendered
unconscious by the accident and he was initially trapped inside
the burning vehicle. Correction Officers Makeyenko, Matyas and
Petricca, along with two other people, witnessed the accident and
helped extract the driver from the vehicle before it became fully
engulfed in flames. Their immediate actions were instrumental in
ensuring that the victim of this accident received prompt medical
attention, which could have saved his life.

Sadly, the victim succumbed to his injuries approximately two
weeks later.

Correction Officers Makeyenko, Matyas and Petricca's willingness
to become involved in helping a fellow citizen reflects highly upon
their character. Had they not risked their own personal safety to
pull the victim from his burning vehicle, he would have had no
chance of survival. They exercised great courage in the face of
danger and their selfless disregard for their own well-being is
commendable.

Medal of Merit citation for:

Jean Gagnon, Correction Officer Riverview Correctional Facility

On December 23, 2010, while vacationing in Las Vegas, Correction
Officer Gagnon discovered the charred body of a woman in a wooded
area near the Hoover Dam. Relying on his departmental training,
Correction Officer Gagnon secured the scene and notified authorities.
While waiting for authorities to arrive, Correction Officer Gagnon
noticed a suspicious vehicle approach the area and leave. He
recorded identifying information from the vehicle and relayed the
information to authorities upon their arrival. Authorities stopped
the vehicle and apprehended two individuals who eventually admitted
to murdering the victim as well as returning to the scene to destroy
evidence. As well as preserving the crime scene, Correction Officer
Gagnon's actions allowed the homicide division of the Las Vegas
Police Department to quickly apprehend two murderers.

Correction Officer Gagnon's quick thinking and commitment to
justice are a testament to his outstanding professionalism.